Salem Park Sun Shade

The Kenadi Jean Weis Foundation is pleased to announce that the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, a national nonprofit headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, has awarded them a Direct Effect Quality of Life grant in the amount of $11,000.  This grant will support the installation of a sun shade structure at the community universally-accessible playground at Salem Park in Spearfish, SD.  Many individuals with spinal cord injury and other complex conditions have difficulty regulating temperature. The shade structure will provide critical protection from the sun’s rays for all visitors to the playground.

Through combined efforts, Salem Park was rebuilt with all-inclusive playground equipment constructed for fun; and smooth, shock absorbent poured-in-place surfacing was installed.  This project created a commercial play environment which goes way beyond the ADA minimum requirements, addressing accessibility, age and developmental appropriateness and sensory-stimulating activities for everyone.  With summertime heat upon us, it has been a task of the Kenadi Jean Weis Foundation to install shade protection at Salem Park, so that children and adults can enjoy outdoor fun more safely.

The Kenadi Jean Weis Foundation is honored to be only one of 48 organizations awarded Direct Effect Quality of Life grant funding out of the over 600 funding requests received.  Direct Effect Quality of Life grants support a wide variety of programs and services that result in clear, rapid, positive effects for individuals living with paralysis.  Grants are federally funded through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living.

With the dedicated backing of the community, approval of the City of Spearfish and continued support from the Spearfish Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, the installation of a GameTime Shade structure will block up to 97 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays and keep playground temperatures up to 30 degrees cooler as well as protect the playground equipment.

Even Superheroes need to keep cool and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation made this possible.

Read the full article on Black Hills Pioneer: Sun shade structure to be installed at Salem Park in Spearfish